Mechanical movement.



Patented lune Il, |901.

, H KEIPER. MECHANICAL MOVEMENT.

(Application lled Oct. 10, 1900.) (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet l.

rv-u: Norms virtus no.. Pndfmxruo.. wmnsmn. u. c.

No. 676,324. Patented' June n, |901.

H. BQKEIPER.

MECHANICAL MOVEMENT.

A 1i 'c'` m d o t.1o,.19oo.) (No Model.) pp non E c 2 Sheets-Shee 2.

' 6. f/f V nnnnnnr are I UNiTED STAT-Esi PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY B. KEIPER, OF LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA.

:vl EcHANloAL MOVEMENT.

SPECIFICATION forming part lof Letters Patent No. 676,324, dated J' une 1 1, 1901.

Application iiled October 10,1990. Serial No. 32,634. (No model.)

invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to Which it appertains to makel and use the same.

This invention relates to mechanicalmovements; and it consists, substantially, in such improvements therein as Will hereinafter be more particularly described, and definitely pointed out in the claims.

The primary object of the invention is to provide an eXceedingly-light-ruiming mechanical movement for operating various kinds of machinery at a uniform high rate of speed With the least expenditure of power and also to provide such a device in which the several elements are compactly arranged or assembled, so as to occupy but small space in use and be of ready access and capable of easy adjustment, regulation, and repair.

The above and additional objects I attain by the means substantially as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure l is a side elevation in part section representing one form or embodiment of my invention; and Fig. 2 is a Vertical sectional View thereof on the line .fr cc, the drive-shaft being in elevation. Fig. 2 is a separate detail view. Fig. 3 is a similar vieriT to Fig. l, representing another form or embodiment of my invention; and Fig. t is a vertical sectional view thereof on the line y y. Figs. 5 to lO, inclusive, are enlarged views in detail and principally in section representing different forms or modifications in the construction ofantifriction devices employed for the different bearings.

Preliminarily toa more detailed description it may be stated that my invention is capable of various diiferent embodiments, several of which are herein shown, and to which spe'- ci-tic reference will hereinafter be made. In practice the several operative devices or elements are arranged in parallelism and as nearly as possible in the same plane, so as to occupy but `small space in use as Well as in transportation. I employ a Worm-shaft to be geared to the device or object to be driven, and which worm-shaft is operated or rotated by means of a Worm-Wheel that is driven by suitable gearing from a main driving-shaft. The Worm-shaft and Worm-Wheel are in substantially the same plane, the threads on the one and the teeth on the other being given the requisite Ainclination and pitch to effect a positive rotation of said worm-shaft in a direction substantially at right angles to the direction of rotation of both the said Worm- Wheel and its driving-gear. The device can be driven either electrically, mechanically, or by hand, according to theparticular Work to which itis applied, and, preferably, I provide an inclosing case therefor to protect the parts or elements thereof from dirt and moisture, as Well as to furnish convenient supports for the several bearings for the Worm-shaft, the worm-gear, and other parts.

My said improved mechanical movement or device is also provided With suitable means for overcoming the friction accompanying the rotary working of both the worm-shaft and Worm-gear, and said means are so constructed and arranged as to overcome any undesirable effects produced by endwise thrust of either the said Worm -shaft, the shaft of the said Worm-gear, Vor the driveshaft.

Reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and more especially to Figs. l and 2 thereof, A represents a shaft formed at about its central portion with a spiral or Worm a and extending lengthwise of an inclosing tubular casing B therefor, each end of which is slightly contracted and exteriorly screwthreaded, as shownat b. Screwing into said screw-threaded ends are the caps C and C', respectively, the one, C, being entirely closed to exclude dirt and moisture and the other, C', having a central opening c for the passage of one end of the Worm-shaft A, WhichY projects beyond the casing B and is provided with a beveled or other gear-Wheel CZ, engaging a similar gear-Wheel d' on the shaft CZ" of the device or object to be driven. The said ICO for or taken up by simply screwing up the' said cones. Also screwing onto the screwthreaded portions of the worm-shaft behind or to the rear of each of the said adjustable cones is a lock-nut 7, and preferably located between each cone and its nut is a washer S,

against which the nut bears.

ing or screwing up said nuts it is evident that the cones will be prevented from turning backward on the worm-shaft,.and the bearings will thus be kept in proper working order without any wabbling or undue endwise thrust of said worm-shaft. -To gain access to said bearings or cones, it is simply necessary to unscrew the caps O C on the ends of casing B, as is evident. The worm a of the said worin-shaft A is engaged by a wormwheel D, theshaft 9 of which is mounted in suitable bearings at the sides of an inclosing casing E, formed with or mounted upon the shaft-casing B, the two said casings being substantially integral. As shown in a separate detail at Fig. 2, the said shaft 9 is pref-A erably mountedin adjustable cone and ballbearings g g for the'driveshaft 12.

bearings 10 substantially the same as are employed in connection with the worm-shaft A and also substantially the same, as will be presently described, with reference to the Instead, however, the bearings for said shaft 9 may be the same as those hereinafter described with reference tothe corresponding shaft shown in Fig. 3. Indeed, it is preferable in some instances that one form of bearings herein lshown in the several views be employed for the worm-shaft, another for the shaft of the worm-wheel, while for the drive-shaft the bearings may be such as are employed for either of the worm-wheel shafts shown in Figs.

2a and 4. Engaging a pinion 13 on the said shaft 9 of the said worm-wheel D is a driving gearwheel F, which is mounted on the saiddriveshaft 12 closely adjacent to the said wormwheel, as shown, and this drive-gear is also inclosed in an extension E, so as to be protected from dirt and moisture. It will be understood that the said inclosing casings B, E, and E,

herein separately referred to as such, are practically integral and that access is had to the tion, Fig. 2, and as partly broken awayin Fig.

1.) Said cover or side plate 13 is secured or` held in place by means of screws 14, as shown,

which enter suitable openings therefor in corresponding lugs or projections 15, formed with the said casing and cover-plate. As shown in Fig. 2, the part B of the casing is provided at opposite sides with longitudinal flanges or ribs 16, by which the entire device may be mounted or placed in proper position upon a suitable standard or support Gr and secured thereto by means of bolts 17 and nuts 18. It is evident, however, that other means-could be employed for supporting the structure, according to the particular exigencies or requirements of the case. The said part B of the casing is left open at the point 20, so as to partially admit the worm-wheel D for engaging with the worm a ofthe worni-shaft'A, and the compactness of the several elements of the device will be at once apparent. AThe worm-wheel D is secured to its shaft 9 by means of a screw 21, Fig. 1, passing down through the wheel, as shown. The said bearings g g for the said drive-shaft 12 are constituted of substantially tubular portions 22 and. 23, (see Fig. 2,) each having seated in the outer end thereof a hard-metal seat or race 24 for containing the antifriction-balls 25, and screwing into said tubular portions are the removable covers or caps 26 and 27, respectively, the former being closed and the latter having a central opening 28 for the passage of the outwardly-projecting end of the said drive-shaft. Thescrew-threadedportions28 and 29 of this shaft are, in like manner as the worm-shaft A, provided with adjusting regulating-cones 30, against which the balls 25 partially bear or rest, and screwing up behind the said cones are similar lock-nuts 31 forkeeping the same in place. The threads of the worm a and the teeth of the worm-wheel D are given such inclination and pitch as will insure the perfect rotation of the `.shaft A, and it will be seen that the working of the several elements or parts is easy and that a uniform high rate of speed of the said shaft can be maintained at all times. There is no tendency to binding between the worm-shaft and worm-wheel, since, while the rotation of trical motor, as desired; but preferably I have shown the same provided at one end with a pulley 35 and belt 3G, by which suitable connections may be made with any source of mechanical power.

It will be seen -thatwhenever any ofthe parts have become worn or broken they can readily be replaced by other similar parts, and also that the said parts can be easily reached both for the purposes of cleaning and adjustment .ofthe same.l In Figs. 3 Vand et I vhave shown another form or embodiment `of my invention and to which IOO IIO

j ments.

chaste specific reference will now be made. In said figures the general arrangement of the several parts or elements is substantially the same as in the preceding gures, the differences residing principally in the antifriction devices employed, of which several forms or modifications are shown and which will also be described. In said embodiment of the invention and as indicated at Fig. 3 the projecting end of the worm-shaft A is provided with a device or objectsuch as a fan, propeller, or other 'similar device B-to be operated by said shaft, and which device or object is preferablyshown as broken ed and is also shown as operating within a separate casing D2, which, for convenience, is likewise broken away both at its upper and lower portions. The purpose of such showing is simply to indicate the application of the particular form or forms of antifriction devices employed in this particular embodimentoftheinvention. Thus thewormshaft A' extends through the lower part B2 of the inclosing casing C2, similarly as before, and the said shaft has its bearings in bushings m n, removably inserted in the end walls of said part B2 of the casing, and in the present instance an additional bushing ois employed, which isremovably inserted in atubular bearing p, supported in any suitable manner centrally of the opening g in the side of the fan or other casing D2. It will be understood that, if desired, the said several mentioned bushings could be provided with ball-bearings or otherdevices for reducing the friction caused by the rotation of said shaft; but preferably I resort to the construction shown. Whenever said bushings become worn, they can readily be replaced by others, as is evident. These bushings are of brass or phosphor-bronze, and by their use an easy rotation of the wormshaft is obtained. As shown in Fig. 3, each end of the worm-shaft A is rounded off at 40, and bearing against said shaft at one end is a hardened adjustable antifriction-screw 4l, also having its end rounded olf at 42. Said screw works in or has its bearing in an exteriorly screw threaded bushing 43, which screwsinto a socket 44 therefor, formed in the end wall of the part B2 of the inclosing casing, and working on the said screw outside of the said bushing is a jam-nut 45 for locking or holding the screw to its diiferent adjust- Also bearing in like manner against the opposite rounded end of the worm-shaft is a similar hardened adjustable antifrictionscrew 46, working or having .its bearing in a bracket 47, secured in place at 48, the end of said screw being similarly rounded oii at Fitting upon this screw also is a jamnut 50 for locking or holding said screw to its adjustments. In addition to said screws 4l and 46 being hardened the ends of the wormshaft are also preferably hardened, and from the construction and arrangement shown and .described it will be seen that a very easy working or running of the said worm-shaft is 0btained and that the eects of endwise thrust -ous uniform motion derived.

of this shaft are overcome with equal if not with greater efficiency than with the construction previously described with reference to` Figs. l and 2. l By the employment of either set of said antifriction devices, however, any

the worm-wheel is received by said devices, and thus any tendency to binding between the worm-shaft and worm-wheel is practically overcome. In this way the desired engagement between the worm a and the Wormwheel is constantly maintained and a continu- As shown in Fig. 4, I also employ substantially the same construction and arrangement of antifriction devices for the shaft 9a of the worm-Wheel D, or, as is preferred in some instances, I may employ for this shaft the same form of bearings employed for the shaft corresponding thereto in Fig. 2. In this view, Fig. 4, the ends of said shaft 9 are similarly rounded o and preferably hardened at 50a, and the shaft is supported in bushings removably inserted in tubular projections 52, formed or arranged at the sides of the inclosing casing. Screwing into sockets- 53 in the ends of said tubular projections are eXteriOrly-threaded plugs or bushings 54, in which the screws 55 have their adjustable support or bearing, and iitting on said screws are jam-nuts 5G for locking them in position after adjustment. VThe ends of said screws bear against the ends of said shaft with an eifect which is clearly obvious from the preceding description. -As shown in said Fig. 4, a plate 57 is attached to one end of the inclosing casing for the several parts, the said plate serving as a means for attachment of the entire device to any suitable support.

In Figs. 5 to 10, inclusive, I have shown a number of diiferent embodiments or modifications of the antifrict-ion devices employed in Figs. 3 and 4, and wherein the worm-shaft A2 is necessarily enlarged over what is shown in the preceding figures. In each of said Figs. 5 to lO the end of said worm-shaft A2 is shown simply as bearing in the end of part B (broken off) of the inclosing casing, the removable bushing therefor being omitted for convenience. Thus in Fig. 5 instead of rounding off the end of the worm-shaft I simply insert therein a hardened-steel plug 60, having a rounded head 6l, preferably somewhat enlarged. In the use of this plug the end of the worm-shaft may or may not be previously hardened, as desired. In this view, Fig. 5, the same form of adjustable antifriction-screw 62 is used as in Figs. 3 and 4, said screw being also similarly heid or supported in a removable screw-threaded plug G3 and havinga jam-nut 64. In Fig. 6 the constructo bear.

endwise thrust of the worm-shaft exerted by IOO IOS

IIC

same, with the exception that the hardenedmetal socket or race 67 is made deeper and two hardened-metal ballsy 68 69 are inserted therein, one upon the other, with the end of the screw 62 bearing against the outermost ball.

three balls 7l, all arranged on the bottom or base of the socket, so as to form a central or middle recess 72, (see Fig. 9,) Whichrreceives the end of the screw 73, which in this instance is made conical or tapering at 74, so as to enter said recess.

minimum on account of the tapered end of the screw'having a lnovable bearing on all` sides. In Fig. 10 the construction is the` right or left hand direction the tendency to endwise thrust of the worm-shaft will be mainly in one direction or the other, and

hence if such driving mechanism is always to be operated in one direction only it will only benecessary to employ the antifriction devices at one end of the worin-shaft, the other j end of said shaft being simply a naked straight journal. From this construction the Operation will be practically as easy as when such devices are employed at both ends of the shaft.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying illustra? tions, it is thought the effectiveness of the several parts of my invention will be fully understood, and

Without limiting myself to the precise details of construction and arrangement shown and described,'I claim- 1. In a mechanical movement, the combination of a Worm-shaft the ends of which are rounded, a worm-gear engaging therewith, means for operating said worm-gear, an inclosing casiugfor the several mentioned elements, and adjustable screws also having rounded ends and bearing against the ends of said worm-shaft,substantially as described.

2. In a mechanical movement, the combination of a worm-shaft the ends of which are rounded, a worm-Wheel engaging therewith, antifriction devices for the shaft of said worm-wheel, means for operating the wormwheel, an inclosing casing for the several mentioned elements, and adjustable devices also having rounded ends and bearing against the ends of said worm-shaft, substantially as described. y

3. In a mechanical movement, the combination of a worm-shaft, a worm-wheel engaging therewith, the ends of the shaft of which are'rounded, means for operating said worm- In Figs. 8 and 9 a practically shallow socket or race is employed in the end of the worm-shaft, the said'socket containing' It is evident that in this form the friction will be reduced to aV wheel, an inclosing casing for the several mentioned elements, and adjustable devices bearing against the ends of the said wormwheel shaft, substantially as described.

4. In a mechanical movement, the combination of a worm-shaft, antifriction devices therefor, and a Worm-wheel engaging therewith the ends of the shaft of which are rounded, means for operating said wormwheel, an inclosing casing for the several mentioned elements, and adjustable devices also havin g rounded ends and bearing against the ends of said Worm-wheel shaft, substantially as described.

5. In a mechanical movement, the combination of a Worm-shaft, the ends of which are rounded, a worm-wheel engaging therewith in the vertical plane of the `axis thereof, means for operating said worm-wheel, an inclosing casing for the several mentioned elements,

and adjustable devices also having rounded 4ends and bearing against the ends of said worm-shaft, substantially as described.A

6. In a mechanical movement, the combination of a worm-shaft, the ends of which are rounded, a Worm-wheel engaging therewith,

vmeans for loperating said worm-wheel, an in- IOO nation of a worm-shaft, the ends of which are rounded, a worm-wheel engaging therewith the ends of the shaft of which are also rounded, means for operating said worm-wheel, an inclosing casing for the several mentioned elements, said casing having tubular bearings for the .worm-shaft, and similar side bearings for the worm-Wheel shaft, and adjustable devices also having rounded ends and bearing against the ends of each of said shafts, substantially as described.

8. In a mechanical movement, the combination of a worm-shaft the ends of which are rounded, a worin-wheel engaging therewith, a pinion on the shaft of said worin-wheel, a drive-wheel engaging the pinion, an inclosing casing for the several mentioned elements, and adjustable screws also having rounded ends and bearing against the ends of said worm-shaft, substantially as described.

9. In a mechanical movement, the combination of a worm-shaft the ends of which are rounded, a worm-wheel engaging therewith the ends of the shaft of which are also rounded,

a pinion on the worin-wheel shaft, a drive,

wheel engaging the pinion, an inclosing casing for the several mentioned elements,'and

adjustable devices also having rounded ends' and bearing against the ends of each of said shafts, substantially as described.

l0. In a mechanical movement, the combination of a Worm-shaft, the ends of which are IIO rounded, a Worm-Wheel engaging therewith the ends ofthe shaft of which are also rounded, a pinion on the worm-Wheel shaft, a drivewheel engaging the pinion, and antifriotion devices for the shaft of said drive-Wheel, an inclosing casing for the several" mentioned elements, and adjustable devices aiso having rounded ends and bearing against the ends of said worm-shaft and Worin-Wheel shaft, substantially as described.

ll. In a mechanical movement, the combination of a Worin-shaft the ends of which are rounded, a worm-Wheel engaging therewith the ends of the shaft of which are also rounded, a pinion on the worm-Wheel shaft, a drive- 

